Following an extensive process conducted over the last month, a number of high calibre applicants were invited to attend interviews and the conclusion was a unanimous decision made by those involved.
We are delighted to announce that Mike Ford has agreed to become the new Evesham United manager, taking over at the conclusion of this season. He is currently the joint manager of St. Ives Town in the Southern League Central Premier Division and he remains committed to them for the remainder of this season. As a result of this, we are very pleased to state that Neil Hunt is going to continue to be in charge at the Spiers and Hartwell Stadium until then.
Mike, as a player represented Cardiff City and Oxford United, clocking up close to 500 league appearances, gaining two promotions during that time. Following retirement due to injury, Mike has managed Oxford United (twice in caretaker roles) and was also assistant manager there for a period. He then went on to manage Oxford City, (2009-2014) leading them to promotion to the National League Southern Division. He then moved to Banbury United (2015-2020) where he gained promotion from Evesham’s level in 2016, before establishing them in the Premier Division from that point.
Mike is a UEFA A licence coach, who has experience working with and developing young players (including being the Oxford United Youth Team Manager) and he is committed to continuing with this at Evesham United.
Also joining EUFC will be Mike’s long-term assistant, Anton Sambrook who played 250 games for Banbury United and Brackley Town before starting his coaching career in 2004. He was part of Mike’s management team at Banbury United from 2016-20, also having a previous spell at the club as assistant manager from 2007/09. He had previous coaching and management roles at Bedworth United and Cogenhoe United before returning to Banbury in 2016. He is currently at St Ives Town, again working alongside Mike.
The final piece in the new management team will be Pete Haynes who will be remaining with us, whilst continuing in his role at Cheltenham Town.
As a committee, we are looking forward to working with Mike, he is keen to embrace the vision that we have for the club over the coming years, so we are excited to support him in taking EUFC to the next level. We hope that our supporters will join us in welcoming both Mike and Anton to the club.
Mike said
“I am super happy to have been appointed as the manager of Evesham United Football Club. There are football jobs and there are football jobs, this is one of those that has ignited a fire inside me and I cannot wait to get started. I have met the board on a number of occasions. They are a supportive and honest group of people who want Evesham to be challenging toward the top of the division next season, this is something I am aligned with.
I have a commitment to my current club St Ives Town and in this process it was important that I was able to follow this through until the end of the current campaign. To all the supporters, I know how much you look forward to watching your team on a Saturday afternoon, hopefully we can put a smile on your faces with performances that can make you proud”!
Joint Chairman Jim Cockerton and Chris Wright welcoming Mike Ford to the club.
